Host Olaf Lies, environmental minister of Niedersachsen

On October 26th, 2021, the German national association for hydrogen and fuel cells (Deutsche Wasserstoff- und Brennstoffzellenverband, DWV) celebrated its 25-year anniversary at the Vertretung Niedersachsen in Berlin and appropriately held a parliamentary evening with numerous prominent participants. A central theme was that DWV has been advocating for a sustainable hydrogen and fuel cell industry since 1996 and now also expects agreement from the new federal government on a detailed, concrete roadmap for the ramp-up of an H2 economy.

Aware of the coalition negotiations taking place in Berlin at the same time, the association called for “rapid action” and agreement on “concrete measures for a rapid market ramp-up.” The representatives of the H2 industry present agreed that “only with the combination of renewable energies and hydrogen can an investment-secure and economically successful rebuilding of the German as well as European energy industry occur” and called on the new federal government to set the necessary regulatory framework for more planning security now.

“It’s in the hands of the new federal government to swiftly transform the Germany economy for the benefit of its citizens.”

Werner Diwald, president of DWV

“The Ampel (traffic light) coalition could literally light up hydrogen.”

Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen Europe

Notable about this evening was the repeated statement by various representatives that sufficient capital is available and that money is really not the problem. However, in order for these financial resources to be invested, the companies would need confidence and thus planning security. Then, the unanimous opinion is, there will be no lack of money.

DWV is committed to the development of a green hydrogen economy as a component of a sustainable energy supply. Other types will always also be in play in the hydrogen industry, even if people say that they don’t want to play color games.

Author: Sven Geitmann